Obituary of Cecil Duane Byers

Cecil Duane Byers, Jr.

Cecil Duane Byers, Jr., age 61, passed away on July 1, 2026, in Saginaw, Michigan. He was born on November 26, 1964, in Alma, Michigan, to Cecil Byers, Sr. and Anna (Brooks) Byers.

Cecil was a graduate of St. Louis High School, Class of 1984, and spent many years working as a welder and fabricator. In 2022, he stepped away from his long-time career to pursue the life he had always envisioned. Outside the city, he found purpose in building and creating with his own hands, making something out of whatever materials were available. He was happiest when helping others, always ready to lend a hand or prepare a meal for anyone who stopped by. His generosity, resourcefulness, and love for cooking reflected the kind of man he was.

He described himself as tougher than a boiled owl. He was hard-working – with not a lazy bone in his body – and took pride in doing every job very well. He was always willing to help anyone in need or share what he had, even if the greatest gift he could offer was a dose of honest advice or a lesson they needed to hear.

Cecil had a deep love for family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed woodworking, metalworking, gardening, fishing, cooking, and listening to music—especially classic rock. Some of the most cherished memories of Cecil were spent on his property, working on his next project or preparing food to share with those around him.

He is survived by his parents; his children, Ciara (Marcus) Lawson of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Chastity (Gage) Gavenda of Mt. Pleasant, and Cecil Byers, III of Vestaburg; and his siblings, David Byers of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Christine (Roger) Day of Rosebush, Robert Byers of St. Louis, and Wayne Byers of Merrill. He is also survived by his dear friend, Susan Robinson of Midland. 

He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Angie Byers; and his loyal companion, Lucas Jackson Byers, a beloved dog who held the place of a second son in his heart.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for any donations made to help cover the cost of the funeral; please contact the family for details on how to contribute.  To sign the online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.